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There was a time when Al Davis knew what he was doing and was good at it. I have no problem giving credit where credit is due; he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992 for his past contributions...

Revisiting Al Davis’ takeover of the Oakland Raiders

by Jeff Little (Senior Writer)

25

3,236 reads

Opinion

September 17, 2008


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25 comments Last one added about 9 hours ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Chris X 9 months ago

    I'd be interested in where you got your ownership numbers for the Raiders. I'm not saying you are wrong, I just would like to see the source. I thought, maybe incorrectly, that it was like this:

    pre McGah family transfer in 05:

    Davis owns +/- 1/3
    McGah owns +/- 1/3
    (GP)General Partnership (multiple investors) owns +/-1/3

    Davis acquires McGah partnership, sells +/-31% stake to GP group of NY Investors in ) 06. Davis currently owns +/- 35%.

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    • Jeff Little 9 months ago

      Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment, Chris. This article was based on information that it appears we both already know. I will still work on if I can put something together for you.

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      • Josh Peter about 9 hours ago

        Hi Jeff,
        My name is Josh Peter, I'm a reporter with Yahoo Sports and I'd like to talk to you for a story I'm writing on how "character'' impacts teams' willinginess to draft or sign players with a criminal record. I can be reached at 310-384-0549, and thanks in advance for your help.

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  2. ken rog 9 months ago

    i don't doubt the credibility of this article. Sounds about right to me. If you want the exact numbers Chris, then you have missed the point trying to be made. Al must shut the hell up and stand aside.

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    • Jeff Little 9 months ago

      Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment, Ken.

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    • Chris X 9 months ago

      Ken-

      I agree with you. I just believe that Davis decision making (is that an oxymoron?) is based less on actual cost than other owners because I believe that he only pays approx. $0.35 on the dollar for every expenditure the team makes. This is also why I don't believe that Kiffin is only retained for financial reasons.

      It is well documented on this site that I believe that Davis' mind is gone.

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    • Outpost Raider 9 months ago

      The part that the original author left out was that Davis went to McGah when Wayne Valley was out of the country, but was in France at the time, not at the Olympics. It was Valleys first vacation in about 20 years. Davis knew when and how to strike as he could not hood-wink Valley who was very sharp. McGah was semi-senile at the time and Davis told him that Valley had "o.k.'d" the concept of Davis taking over the team and presented him with legal documents to sign to consumate the deal. McGah was gullible and signed the papers. Since it was a General Partnership, both partners are bound by the signature of the other, thus binding Valley to the take-over. Davis has always been a crook and ruthless. He was penniless when he moved here from New York. Valley put him on the map and got screwed in the process. This is the Al Davis method. He is reaping what he has sown his entire life...and look where it is now leading him.

      I have rooted for the Raiders since they played in San Francisco, F.Y field, Coliseum, etc. but I will NEVER root for Davis.

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  3. ron dubose 9 months ago

    al need to let kiffin coach he seem to be doing a good job!

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  4. Al's Wingman 9 months ago

    Well done Jeff. If you have not done so already, I highly recommend reading the book Slick: The Silver & Black Life of Al Davis by Mark Ribowksy.

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    • Jeff Little 9 months ago

      Thanks for the compliments and the comments, Wingman. I recall reading the book years ago but I did have a conversation with a friend who owns a bookstore that is in the process of sending me a copy so I will check it out again thanks for the heads up.

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  5. Sub Arc 9 months ago

    Nice article. There can be no denying the extent of influence that Al Davis has had on professional football. He was a maverick and pioneer of the game in the merger age. But like all cutting edge personality types, once the die is cast, the rest of the people interested in emulating success do just that. They follow (if not outright copy) the prototype for success and unless you are a “once in a lifetime” talent and continue to evolve in a professional capacity then those who emulate your success will eventually catch up with you. And this is the situation with Al and the Raiders. Those great ideas and strategies from the 60’s, 70’s & 80’s are not only outdated but are now totally contrary to success in the modern game. The Raiders draft history of the last 20 years is the best evidence of this point. The best thing that can happen now is for Al to abdicate control to his son. Then in turn Mark should surround himself with modern football people and a young cutting-edge GM. Keeping Kiffin would be a step in the right direction as well.
    There’s more to life than football. Learn about the truth at…www.subversivearchitect.com

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  6. James Jester 9 months ago

    Jeff,

    Really I apprciate the article, but any team can go back way way back to 1983, dang teh Raiders could have drafted Dan Marino instead of DOn Mosebar. and look and say how dumb they were for not drafting someone. If you take it all the way back to 1983 and dang the Raiders could have drafted Dan Marino instead of DOn Mosbar...

    Hindsight is 20/20... In that draft if I recall there were concerns about Bouldin's character and Osi was an unknown with great upside the steady choice was Brayton.

    I just think the use of draft hind sight is very nitpicky!! Just my 2cents! Interesting article though....

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    • Jeff Little 9 months ago

      Thanks for reading the article and taking the time to comment, James. I'm a firm believer in the fact that everyone is entitled to their opinion but I disagree with your take. I remember 1983 very well the Raiders won the Super Bowl that year 38-9 in Tampa, Fl with Jim Plunkett at the helm. The Raiders could've and should've drafted QB Dan Marino just because of the fact that a talent like that fell right in their laps, and Plunkett was getting up in age.

      C Don Mosebar's selection was an occasion where even though the smart pick was Dan Marino it worked out for the Raiders because got a guy who was an All-American player and USC legend who was selected to 3 pro bowls, he also anchored a offensive line that had Steve Wisniewski on his left and Max Montoya on his right that combined for 9 pro bowl appearances in the five years they were together. He had a solid 13 year career that ended with an injury when he unfortunately lost one of his eyes.

      My point is when you have one individual acting as an owner/president/vice president/general manager/ director of player personnell/director of scouting there is no way he can wear all of these hats and perform each job effectively and still recognize talent that a scouting staff should. This also proves my point that Al has never thought about rebuilding the team through the draft.

      In regards to WR Anquan Boldin and his supposed character issues; I pose the question to you, when has that ever been a concern for Al Davs? Anquan Boldin on talent alone should've been the 1st receiver drafted he was always a far better player than Charles Rodgers. Boldin and Andre Johnson were the two best receivers to come out that year.

      Osi might've been an unknown to you, but just so you know, he was the #6 rated DE in the draft by NFL scouts that year who knew him very well. In the 1st round of the 2003 draft there was a run on D-lineman with 10 being selected in the top 25 picks. Tyler Brayton was a DT/DE tweener but his listed position was at DT due to him playing several games at the position in college. Lack of bulk and not solid in technique is the reason he was shifted to DE. He was a guy that was known for his great motor but he would come out of his stance and stand straight up and then he would appear to be a polar bear on roller skates. He was relentless and gave tremendous effort in pursuit.

      I find it hard to believe that when you're in need of a DE you select a guy who wasn't solid at the position versus a guy who was and was the 6th rated player at his position and still on the board.

      Hindsight is 20/20 and as a team you aren't going to hit or select the right player or best players for your team all the time. However, when you miss on pick after pick draft after draft a pattern emerges and the pattern is that Al has failed at drafting players to build the team. This isn't being nitpicky it is a reality.

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  7. joey aguilera 9 months ago

    I am a 35 year old man and was born and raised a Raider fan. My dad always told me that "Real fans are the most critical of their team". I belive that the NFL is a better league when the Raiders are great. Right now The Raiders are one of the worst franchises in ALL of sports. I blame it all on Al Davis. It all started when he traded Coach Gruden, We would have won the Super Bowl in 2003 & the team wouldent have been in this condition now. Please Al Davis "Give it up"........

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    • Jeff Little 9 months ago

      Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment, Joey. I feel your pain and agree with your take. I've got a lot of love for my team but the problem with the team is no mystery.

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  8. Mike 9 months ago

    naw at lest the Raiders have some hope it the Bengals fans that don't so there fore they are the worst run team but you are right Davis needs to let his coach be in charge of the players and pick his Ass. Coaches.I'm not a fan of the Raiders but i just believe there are some teams that need to be great year in and year out>Raiders,Steelers,Cowboys,Giants and a fewe other teams

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    • Jeff Little 9 months ago

      Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment, Mike. I agree with your take and I want to provide a verbal hug to you in regards to your Bengals. It is puzzling that with a talent like QB Carson Palmer the Bengals are in the state they're in, some changes have to be made I like the Head Coach but it is time for Marvin Lewis to be handed his pink slip.

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  9. john failho 9 months ago

    Wow, when you break down that draft like that and see who we passed on, it hurts.

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  10. J.C. Ayvazi 9 months ago

    Hey Jeff-

    Great job with this article. Looking at those draft picks, and the misses, is tough for any Raider fan. Al's record has been spotty at best going back to the mid 80's. Remember Bob Buczkowski?

    AL had too much on his plate back then and still hoards it now, with less ability to get things done. Sadly, I'm afraid his personality will not let him step aside.

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    • Jeff Little 9 months ago

      Thanks for the compliments and comments, J.C.! I agree with your solid takes. Aw man, you brought up a name I thought I wouldn't hear again, what longtime Raider fan can forget Bob Buczkowski being selected in 1986 the 1st round NFL bust, who ironcially was later busted. He was arrested on September 29, 2005 for possession and delivery of a controlled substance; promoting prostitution; criminal conspiracy; and participating in a corrupt organization.

      That was the year that Bo Jackson was drafted number one overall by the Buc's, he became a Raider in 1987. Strangly enough RB Tom Rathman, WR John Taylor, CB Tim McKyer, OLB/DE Pat Swilling, SS David Fulcher were 3rd round picks that year. The guy who possess' five rings, DE Charles Haley, was a 4th round pick.

      Hey LB Seth Joyner was a 8th round pick and DE Clyde Simmons was a 9th round pick.

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    • Raider Card Addict 9 months ago

      You know, for the draft, it's always been a crazy deal.
      For the Marcus Allen, who people thought had bad hands and wanted to turn him into a Wide Reciever....you'd get someone who wouldn't even show up.
      But at the same time....how about getting Bo Jackson? Or Tim Brown? Or, for a time, McDaniel?
      Greg Biekert?
      To be honest, the draft as a whole is a crapshoot. Every team's had boneheaded drafts...just ask the 49ers what the last 10 years have been like.

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    • J.C. Ayvazi 9 months ago

      RCA -

      Of course you are right about the crap shoot part. We have been able to pull some gems down lower, but not as many lately.

      There has been a lot of disappointment in the upper part of the draft - Buchanon, Brayton and Teyo Johnson just to name some of the more recent.

      Hell, Marcus was the best QB on the roster when we were starting Jay Schroeder. He could run, block, catch & throw. All that leaves out is kicking & tackling, and if he really tried, I'm sure he could do that too. His situation is where Al started to lose it. Well, that and trading Lachey, after stealing him from SD for Clay, for Schroeder.

      But I'd say the 9er's are doing fine, just fine 8^D

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